John R. Ewalt Memorial Endowed Scholarship

John was born to John Howard Ewalt and Vera Eileen Ewalt on April 24, 1951 in Great Bend, Kansas. He lived in Great Bend, KS and Denver, CO until graduating from Arvada High School in 1969. He joined the U.S. Navy that year and learned his first life lesson: “Always read what you sign". At enlistment, as he was signing papers, he signed an agreement to extend his enlistment by two years. As the paper was disappearing into the recruiter’s hands, he wanted it back but was told by the recruiter it was too late. This agreement was to set him on a life course. While in the Navy, he attended the Navy nuclear school in Idaho. Following his six-year enlistment (of which there were six months of fun); he ended up in Washington state working at many jobs and facilities at Hanford.

His first job was at the Fast Flux Test Facility (FTFF) as a reactor operator and later as a shift manager. He would go on to perform many other roles, including establishing a successful program for the reduction of human error. After leaving FFTF, John conducted many Hanford site-wide investigations and assessments. He was recognized across the site for his expertise and skills.His next job was at the Plutonium Uranium Extraction Plant (PUREX) as Operations Improvement Specialist and coach for multidisciplinary field work teams.

John then moved on to the Plutonium Finishing Plant (PFP) as lead for a re-engineering effort to create multidisciplinary field work teams. Eventually, he became the manager for Plutonium Process Support Laboratories, which was a plutonium chemistry research and development lab.

John met the love of his life, Caroline Sutter, on April 2, 1997. They hit it off immediately and were married September 19, 1998. They traveled together extensively, enjoying many cruises, including one through the Panama Canal and a small ship cruise of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, an excursion to Machu Picchu, and a journey by train through the Canadian Rockies.

The couple spent many quiet evenings sitting on their deck, enjoying the view with their cats and watching Caroline’s roses grow. John looked forward to family gatherings with the brothers, sister, nieces and nephews. There was lots of laughter when they were around. John’s smile would light up the room and his laughter was contagious. He was a much valued friend to many.

John retired in 2007 and took over the household duties. He became an expert at laundry, shopping, cooking and taking care of his lovely wife. He liked to repair things around the house and was usually successful, with a few notable exceptions, like Caroline’s steam iron. He loved retirement and taking care of the house and Caroline.

John had many interests during his life. He jumped into each one and learned everything he could about them. He had a good eye for photography and set up his own dark room for development of his film. John was an avid woodworker and completed many beautiful projects, small and large, for their house. He got a mini-metal working lathe and mill and with it made many small devices and gadgets, both for fun and to repair items around the house. He claimed it paid for itself in the first few months. Caroline was never sure about his math on that subject.

In 2003, John became a volunteer mediator for Benton-Franklin Dispute Resolution Center now known as the Dispute Resolution Center of the Tri-Cities (DRC), helping people resolve their conflicts in a mutually acceptable manner without having to spend time and money in court. The primary work involved helping divorced couples develop their parenting plans and divide their property. His skills were used in other areas, too, such as conflicts between neighbors, contractor and consumer, between work groups at the work place, and within groups. He supported all activities of the DRC including training and many special projects, including the Community Conversations sponsored by the Tri-City Herald. He eventually was added to the board of directors for the DRC and then became chairman.

John was diagnosed with cancer on Christmas Eve 2010. He succumbed to the cancer on August 8, 2011 after a very hard-fought fight. John touched a lot of peoples' lives in a very special way and is remembered fondly and with respect by those who knew him. His legacy of curiosity, determination, skill and helping others will extend to students at Columbia Basin College through this endowment to the Machine Technology Program.

For questions or comments about this page, please contact: Foundation, Phone: 509-542-4436